The City Center Motel in Long Beach has been reimagined as a contemporary hotel that blends mid-century modern charm with urban vibrancy. Once a typical roadside motel, the property has been transformed into a boutique hospitality destination, celebrating its architectural heritage while addressing the dynamic needs of modern travelers. Spanning an entire city block, the 26,000-square-foot property has been thoughtfully revitalized. The transformation replaced the central parking lot with a lush, pedestrian oriented courtyard—an inviting space centered around a restored pool. This oasis serves as both a serene retreat for guests and an active communal heart for the hotel. The redevelopment redefines functionality and flow. A former check-in office has been re-envisioned as an elegant restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, complete with a secluded patio that reclaims a former carport. Meanwhile, the second driveway now houses the hotel’s welcoming lobby and a fitness center, merging practicality with a design-forward ethos. Every detail reflects the hotel’s roots in mid-century modernism, articulated through a carefully curated material palette of warm tones, textured surfaces, and thoughtfully placed greenery. These elements preserve the building’s historic essence while creating a timeless environment that feels both familiar and fresh. The project not only celebrates the motel’s architectural legacy but also anchors a significant corner of Long Beach's evolving downtown. The reimagined City Center Motel stands as a symbol of historic renovation, hospitality innovation, and community revitalization— inviting visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of a city on the rise.

City Center Motel

Client / Paloma Communities & Sonder

Area / Long Beach, CA

Status / Complete

Type / Hotel, Restaurant/Bar

The City Center Motel in Long Beach has been reimagined as a contemporary hotel that blends mid-century modern charm with urban vibrancy. Once a typical roadside motel, the property has been transformed into a boutique hospitality destination, celebrating its architectural heritage while addressing the dynamic needs of modern travelers.

Spanning an entire city block, the 26,000-square-foot property has been thoughtfully revitalized. The transformation replaced the central parking lot with a lush, pedestrian oriented courtyard—an inviting space centered around a restored pool. This oasis serves as both a serene retreat for guests and an active communal heart for the hotel.

The redevelopment redefines functionality and flow. A former check-in office has been re-envisioned as an elegant restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, complete with a secluded patio that reclaims a former carport. Meanwhile, the second driveway now houses the hotel’s welcoming lobby and a fitness center, merging practicality with a design-forward ethos.

Every detail reflects the hotel’s roots in mid-century modernism, articulated through a carefully curated material palette of warm tones, textured surfaces, and thoughtfully placed greenery. These elements preserve the building’s historic essence while creating a timeless environment that feels both familiar and fresh.

The project not only celebrates the motel’s architectural legacy but also anchors a significant corner of Long Beach's evolving downtown. The reimagined City Center Motel stands as a symbol of historic renovation, hospitality innovation, and community revitalization— inviting visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of a city on the rise.

City Center Motel

The City Center Motel in Long Beach has been reimagined as a contemporary hotel that blends mid-century modern charm with urban vibrancy. Once a typical roadside motel, the property has been transformed into a boutique hospitality destination, celebrating its architectural heritage while addressing the dynamic needs of modern travelers. Spanning an entire city block, the 26,000-square-foot property has been thoughtfully revitalized. The transformation replaced the central parking lot with a lush, pedestrian oriented courtyard—an inviting space centered around a restored pool. This oasis serves as both a serene retreat for guests and an active communal heart for the hotel. The redevelopment redefines functionality and flow. A former check-in office has been re-envisioned as an elegant restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, complete with a secluded patio that reclaims a former carport. Meanwhile, the second driveway now houses the hotel’s welcoming lobby and a fitness center, merging practicality with a design-forward ethos. Every detail reflects the hotel’s roots in mid-century modernism, articulated through a carefully curated material palette of warm tones, textured surfaces, and thoughtfully placed greenery. These elements preserve the building’s historic essence while creating a timeless environment that feels both familiar and fresh. The project not only celebrates the motel’s architectural legacy but also anchors a significant corner of Long Beach's evolving downtown. The reimagined City Center Motel stands as a symbol of historic renovation, hospitality innovation, and community revitalization— inviting visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of a city on the rise.

Owner / Paloma Communities & Sonder

Location / Long Beach, CA

Status / Complete

Type / Hotel, Restaurant/Bar

The City Center Motel in Long Beach has been reimagined as a contemporary hotel that blends mid-century modern charm with urban vibrancy. Once a typical roadside motel, the property has been transformed into a boutique hospitality destination, celebrating its architectural heritage while addressing the dynamic needs of modern travelers.

Spanning an entire city block, the 26,000-square-foot property has been thoughtfully revitalized. The transformation replaced the central parking lot with a lush, pedestrian oriented courtyard—an inviting space centered around a restored pool. This oasis serves as both a serene retreat for guests and an active communal heart for the hotel.

The redevelopment redefines functionality and flow. A former check-in office has been re-envisioned as an elegant restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, complete with a secluded patio that reclaims a former carport. Meanwhile, the second driveway now houses the hotel’s welcoming lobby and a fitness center, merging practicality with a design-forward ethos.

Every detail reflects the hotel’s roots in mid-century modernism, articulated through a carefully curated material palette of warm tones, textured surfaces, and thoughtfully placed greenery. These elements preserve the building’s historic essence while creating a timeless environment that feels both familiar and fresh.

The project not only celebrates the motel’s architectural legacy but also anchors a significant corner of Long Beach's evolving downtown. The reimagined City Center Motel stands as a symbol of historic renovation, hospitality innovation, and community revitalization— inviting visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of a city on the rise.

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